Farm Bill Update
Significant Gains for Organic, But More Work Ahead
On Friday, July 27, after more than two months of intense debate and committee hearings, the House of Representatives passed their final version of the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007). Thanks to your calls and engagement in the process, H.R. 2419 contains several important wins for organic agriculture and represents a positive step in the right direction. Even though we made significant gains, we did not get everything we advocated for. OFRF will be working to get more support for organics in the Senate version of the Farm Bill over the next few months.
Organic agriculture wins in H.R. 2419 include: funding for organic research and extension, funding for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program; and a new National Organic Conversion Program. According to the Organic Trade Association, over $300 million dollars of funding over the life of the bill was approved for organics. Our biggest loss in the House bill was the Conservation Security Program, which was cut by $4 billion.
For more detailed information on how organics fared see the chart below and the Farm Bill update and press release on our website. As the Senate Farm Bill process begins, we will keep you updated through our OFAN listserv and hope that you will continue to stay engaged. Until then we are asking you to do two things:
- Make thank you calls to specific Representatives who showed a leadership role on organics in the House.
- Schedule meetings with your Senators while they are home for recess to tell them about the need for their leadership in supporting organics in the Farm Bill.
Thanks and Spanks Calls
During the House Agriculture Committee Hearing and also on the House Floor, there were several Representatives who offered amendments supporting organics that were included in H.R. 2419. If you have a moment, please call them and thank them.
Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) – (202) 225-6131
Helped to secure $5 million/year in mandatory funding and $25 million/year in discretionary annual appropriations authority for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative.
Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) – (202) 225-5614
Offered an amendment to create an Organic Conversion Assistance Program, which provides financial and technical assistance to farmers converting to organic production methods.
Rep. Tim Walz (D-MN) – (202) 225-2472
Offered an amendment that makes organic farming practices eligible criteria for Conservation Security Program (CSP) enrollment and creates a streamlined process for applicants to apply for both organic certification and CSP.
Rep. Steve Kagen (D-WI) – (202) 225-5665
Offered an amendment urging the USDA Agricultural Research Service to increase support for organic research to at least a fair share based on the organic share of the U.S. retail market.
Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) – (202) 225-1313
Offered an amendment to establish research programs and priorities in the conservation program for protecting pollinators and pollinator habitat.
Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO) – (202) 225-2406
Offered an amendment to make grants to eligible entities to assist in purchasing and operating organic gardens in urban areas for growing fruits and vegetables.
Please also take a moment to call Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) – (202) 225-5431, and express your disappointment over his amendment to prohibit USDA conservation program managers from “discriminating” against specific pesticides or classes of pesticides in implementing conservation programs.
Congress on Recess – Make a district call or visit!
Congress will be on recess from August 6th until September 3rd, meaning that your Member and Senators will most likely be in their home districts then. Now is the opportunity to meet with your Senators or attend public events that they host and urge them to support organics in the Farm Bill. To schedule a meeting or find out your Senators’ public appearances, call their district office and ask to speak to the scheduler. Contact info for your Senators are below. If you would like materials or talking points on organic programs in the Farm Bill, email Tracy Lerman at action@ofrf.org.
Please call the Capitol switchboard (202-224-3121) and ask for your Senator’s or Representative’s office by name. Visit congressmerge.com to find out who represents you.
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